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Drachman Institute

Mission

The Drachman Institute advances community engagement as a cornerstone of professional design education in the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA).

Drachman Institute is the community-based research and outreach arm of CAPLA whose commitment to engagement corresponds to the professional code of ethics of each of the College’s disciplines, as well as the land-grant mission of the University of Arizona. This scholarship of engagement is based on a series of core values to prepare students for the professional workplace:

Service Learning – integrating community outreach projects into interdisciplinary design and planning curricula

Collaborative Partnerships – engaging local neighborhoods, non-profits, municipalities, and businesses, as well as regional, state, tribal, federal and international agencies

Community Impact – applying CAPLA knowledge in service to 21st century community needs

Focus Areas

Drachman Institute has built its reputation as a nexus between the College’s knowledge and expertise and the diverse communities we serve. Utilizing grant funding and research contracts, Drachman Institute’s current community engagement initiatives focus on Heritage Conservation and Livable Communities.

Looking to the Future

On October 17th, Gina Chorover, Kelly Smith, and Laura Jensen from the Drachman Institute, along with Courtney Crosson, Assistant Professor in the Architecture Degree Program, delivered a presentation to CAPLA faculty and staff in order to kickstart a visioning process for the future of the Institute. As a result of recent changes in leadership, including the current search for a new CAPLA Dean, Drachman has solicited input from interested faculty through an online survey and is embarking on an RFP process in order to best determine the Institute’s future role in both the college and the larger community.

Ultimately, 197 representatives from the community and 38 members of CAPLA faculty and staff completed the surveys, and the results of each are now available. Click to view the results of the community as well as the faculty and staff surveys.